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Recent content by Gamma1214

  1. Gamma1214

    2026 Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous

    Goldenglass
  2. Gamma1214

    An extra trippy Merlin canoe strip build

    LOL there are a few that I'll procrastinate on fixing... (does that count as refusal?) 🤷‍♂️
  3. Gamma1214

    Strap-in or Lash-in your gear

    I'm in the "don't tie anything in, just deal with the yard sale" camp. My trips involve several portages in the average day and tying & untying would really slow things down. I'd rather chase my crap around the lake or down the river if I dump (although I portage anything that looks sketchy...
  4. Gamma1214

    An extra trippy Merlin canoe strip build

    Well, I'm unsure which of these screwed me but this build continues to fight me (but I'm winning... I think). I've begun to wonder if the canoe Gods are hating me for the crazy color scheme. We machined the seat parts matching what we did to repair and reinforce the Bloodvein seat including...
  5. Gamma1214

    Alan's Bloodvein II Canoe Strip Build

    In an effort to button this up by Friday, I spent a couple of decent days in the shop. I'd stopped over at my buddy's woodshop last week and we re-did the seat. Now that the cross pieces were glued in again, we cut them off, ran the dado up & down while sizing it to fit some Sassafras scraps...
  6. Gamma1214

    Hot Tent Suggestions?

    With a small (stainless steel?) stove and a morning fire, about how long does it take for the stove to cool enough that it can be packed? I mean, I realize that it would depend upon how many coals are piled up in it but on a portage trip, is it best to skip the morning warm-up so you can get...
  7. Gamma1214

    Vehicle problems while driving, or parking, to and fro canoe trips

    PA doesn't even transfer points from other states (or report out-of-state violations to insurance companies) so I usually try to stay "under 10 over" within the state. Once I cross the border, however, it's just a matter of paying a fine (if I get caught) so I feel pretty good about testing the...
  8. Gamma1214

    Your Favorite Streamside/Lakeside Campsite

    Sorry for the slow response but this thread caused a very enjoyable stroll down memory lane. I've been blessed to visit many terrific sites and (since you include "streamside" in your title) I didn't limit my thought to just canoe trips. The title does, however, use the singular "campsite", so...
  9. Gamma1214

    As stable as a Camper but lighter

    Welcome. I don't know much about commercially available boats but I can't imagine hurting anything by bumping into & sliding over submerged wood. Aren't Mangroves a lot like Cypress? (Annoying knees growing everywhere but they're not sharp or scratchy). I'll second the DIY route if you're at...
  10. Gamma1214

    Vehicle problems while driving, or parking, to and fro canoe trips

    Wow. I didn't know any of them escaped.
  11. Gamma1214

    Vehicle problems while driving, or parking, to and fro canoe trips

    Hopefully not but, as someone who has always driven high-mileage vehicles, I can say that they add to the sense of adventure. (Thankfully, my only issues while tripping have been speeding tickets... I seem to collect those) Incidentally (just a house-keeping item, not a criticism), the...
  12. Gamma1214

    Hot Tent Suggestions?

    I appreciate all the suggestions too since a hot tent is on my bucket list as well. It would, potentially, make a late November trip on the Allegheny River downright cozy. This is the one that I was looking at recently...
  13. Gamma1214

    Info on Chivelston, Harris & Harold Lakes outside Wabakimi?

    My first thought (especially since availability of canoe space is better on Eastbound trains) was that all available space had been bought on speculation. Honestly, it's probably a wise investment so, I guess, good on them. The way VIA works it, my ticket from Mud River to Savant Lake is $25 +...
  14. Gamma1214

    West Branch of the Penobscot/Lobster Lake

    You've got some great pictures and I really enjoyed the write-up. He certainly is. Nothin' fancy, just good boat control. I like that his video is similar: Good visuals, great narration, informative yet easy to watch. Well done by both of you. Thanks for sharing.
  15. Gamma1214

    An extra trippy Merlin canoe strip build

    No pictures today but I did manage to get the inwales glued & screwed. I mixed the epoxy pretty thick (roughly 2 parts epoxy to 1 part sawdust) so that it wasn't runny but would still "squish" out. I screwed up a little since, having done the Bloodvein the previous day, I knew almost exactly...
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